Accessibility Statement

The East Atlantic Flyway Partnership is committed to making this website accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of technology, ability or individual requirements.

We are currently reviewing and improving the accessibility of this website. As the website has not yet undergone a complete accessibility audit, we cannot currently confirm full compliance with all applicable accessibility requirements.

Accessibility status

This website is currently partially compliant with recognised accessibility requirements.

A comprehensive accessibility review and remediation process is planned. The website will be updated progressively as accessibility issues are identified and resolved.

This statement reflects the current state of the website and does not constitute a certification of full compliance with WCAG or BITV requirements.

Accessibility standards

Our aim is to make the website conform as closely as possible to the principles and success criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, and, where applicable, the requirements of the German Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV 2.0).

Accessibility is based on the four fundamental principles that web content should be:

• perceivable;
• operable;
• understandable; and
• robust.

Current accessibility features

The website already includes a number of features intended to support accessible use, including:

• semantic HTML structures;
• a “Skip to main content” link;
• alternative text for many meaningful images;
• responsive layouts for different screen sizes;
• keyboard-accessible standard links and controls where native HTML elements are used;
• visible text labels for major navigation areas;
• structured page headings; and
• scalable text and responsive content layouts.

These features are being reviewed as part of the ongoing accessibility work.

Known limitations

The website has not yet undergone a complete manual and automated accessibility audit. We are therefore aware that some accessibility barriers may remain.

The following areas in particular require further review or improvement.

Navigation and keyboard operation

The main navigation, mobile navigation and multi-level menus use customised interactive components.

These components still need to be fully tested and, where necessary, optimised for:

• keyboard-only navigation;
• logical focus order;
• visible keyboard focus;
• correct focus handling when menus or overlays are opened and closed;
• compatibility with screen readers; and
• operation on different browsers and mobile devices.

Interactive maps and visualisations

Interactive maps and other visual elements may contain information or functionality that is not yet fully available to keyboard users or users of assistive technologies.

We are reviewing ways of providing accessible alternatives and improving keyboard and screen-reader support for these components.

Images and graphical content

Although many images contain alternative text, not all images and graphical elements have yet been systematically reviewed.

Some decorative images may currently contain unnecessary alternative text, while some informative graphical elements may require more detailed text alternatives.

Heading structure

The heading hierarchy across all pages has not yet been systematically audited.

Some pages or content components may contain heading levels that do not follow an ideal logical sequence.

Colour contrast

The website uses a broad visual colour palette as part of its design.

Not all combinations of foreground and background colours have yet been systematically verified against WCAG contrast requirements.

We will review text, interactive elements, buttons and graphical user-interface components and adjust contrast where necessary.

Focus indicators

Keyboard focus indicators have not yet been systematically reviewed across all interactive components.

Some custom links, buttons or navigation components may require clearer visible focus styling.

Forms

Forms are being reviewed for correct:

• labels;
• instructions;
• keyboard operation;
• validation messages;
• error identification; and
• screen-reader announcements.

Some forms may not yet fully meet all accessibility requirements.

Videos and multimedia

Video or multimedia content may not always provide captions, transcripts, audio descriptions or equivalent accessible alternatives.

Where such media communicates essential information, accessible alternatives will be added where appropriate.

Decorative background videos do not contain essential information.

Documents

PDF files, downloadable documents or documents provided by external partners may not all be fully accessible.

We are working towards improving the accessibility of documents provided directly through this website. Where an accessible version of a document is required, users may contact us.

Third-party content

Some content or functionality may be provided by external services or linked third-party websites.

We cannot guarantee the accessibility of websites or services operated by third parties.

Technical compatibility

The website is intended to work with current versions of major web browsers and with commonly used assistive technologies.

Because browser and assistive-technology combinations can behave differently, compatibility is being reviewed as part of our accessibility work.

If you experience a problem with a particular browser, device or assistive technology, please let us know.

Ongoing improvements

Accessibility is an ongoing process.

We are currently reviewing the website and plan to improve, among other things:

• keyboard navigation;
• focus management;
• navigation menus;
• colour contrast;
• heading structures;
• alternative text;
• interactive maps;
• form accessibility;
• accessible names for controls and links;
• downloadable documents; and
• compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies.

Where new functionality or content is developed, accessibility will increasingly be considered as part of the design and development process.

Preparation of this statement

This statement was prepared in August 2026.

The current assessment is based on an initial internal review of the website and its technical implementation.

A full WCAG/BITV accessibility audit has not yet been completed.

This statement will be updated following a more comprehensive accessibility assessment and whenever substantial accessibility improvements are made.

Feedback and contact

We welcome feedback on the accessibility of this website.

If you encounter an accessibility barrier, require information in an alternative format, or have difficulty accessing a particular page, document or function, please contact us.

Telephone: +49 4421 9108 0
Email: info@waddensea-secretariat.org

When reporting an accessibility problem, it is helpful if you can include:

• the URL of the affected page;
• a short description of the problem;
• the browser and device you are using; and
• the assistive technology you are using, if applicable.

We will endeavour to investigate accessibility reports and provide an appropriate response or accessible alternative.

Enforcement procedure

If you have contacted us regarding an accessibility issue and have not received a satisfactory response, you may be entitled to contact the competent accessibility enforcement or conciliation body.

For websites falling within the scope of the German Act on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz – BGG), the conciliation procedure under Section 16 BGG provides a means of resolving disputes concerning accessibility without having to initiate court proceedings.

The conciliation procedure is free of charge. Legal representation is not required.

Further information about the competent conciliation procedure and the appropriate contact details will be provided here once the applicable jurisdiction for this website has been confirmed.

Updating this statement

We will review this Accessibility Statement regularly and update it when:

• significant technical changes are made to the website;
• an accessibility audit is completed;
• substantial accessibility improvements are implemented; or
• legal or technical accessibility requirements change.

Last updated: August 2026